Four years in the making and now it’s time for Euro 2012

After four years of grueling qualification matches, Europe’s 16 best soccer teams are ready to put it all on the line starting Friday.

Euro 2012, co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland, is one of the world’s most popular tournaments and if previous results are any indication, there will be plenty of surprises.

Spain won in 2008, but a repeat might be tough without one of their best players, David Villa.

Rogers’ Sportsnet soccer reporter John Molinaro says other players will need to step up for the Spaniards.

“Fernando Llorente is a wonderful striker,” says Molinaro. “He’s not as prolific as Villa, but gives them plenty of attack up front.”

There’s always a dark horse in this tournament and Molinaro is picking Russia to turn some heads.

“Four years ago, they reached the semi-finals and they did quite well to get there. They are a technically proficient and attack style of team.”

Format: The top two countries in each group advance to the quarter-finals and then tournament adopts a straight knockout format.

Group A: Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Russia

Group B: Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal

Group C: Croatia, Ireland, Spain, Italy

Group D: England, France, Sweden, Ukraine

To open the tournament, Russia takes on the Czech Republic, while host Poland faces the 2004 champs, Greece.

Full Schedule:

To follow the tournament, visit http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/index.html.

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